11/10/2026
At least 368 rabid animals have been found in California this year, breaking a 28-year record. Most of the rabid animals were bats or skunks located in Southern California; however, a pair of rabid raccoons were discovered in Los Angeles last month—the first raccoons to test positive for rabies in LA County in over 50 years. The risk to the public remains low, with the last human death reported in California being in 2024.
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, typically spreading through the saliva of an infected animal. Once symptoms begin to appear, rabies is nearly 100% fatal. You can prevent rabies by keeping away from wildlife and vaccinating your pets. If you have been bitten and scratched by wildlife or an unfamiliar animal, seek out urgent medical care.